Design Appeal Still Strong at High Point Market

Posted on November 6, 2012 by HFN Staff

By Andrea Lillo

The particular design aesthetic--and audience--a designer brings to a collection continues to have strong appeal, and designers debuted either new collections altogether at High Point Market, or added to existing ones.

This round of introductions included bold colors and graphic looks that reflected that designer's touch, and in a number of constructions.

Rizzy Rugs unveiled its FYH by Vicki Payne Collection, which it developed with Payne, the host of the syndicated television design and home improvement program, "For Your Home by Vicki Payne." Not only was the line new but so was the construction: a hooked and cut pile with twisted wool. The designs in the line were based on Payne's fabric designs, and as most of them are two to four colors, "the hooked background makes the design stand out," said Al Mortensen, director of creative and design. It was a "perfect opportunity" to use this construction and add dimension, he said. The line includes five designs, in several colorways. Decorative pillows are also part of the launch.

Now one year old, the Genevieve Gorder flatweave line at Capel saw the addition of two new designs: The Greek, in four colorways, and L'Alhambra, the line's first three-color design and in three colorways. And more flatweaves are in store come April, said Tami Watras, vice-president, product and creative, and they will include a few "unexpected constructions ... We'll take it up to the next level."

In addition, Kevin O'Brien extended his line of loop hooked looks with Capel--"he loves this construction," said Watras--in three new designs: Petal, Treasure and Carbon.

Surya debuted its new collection with textile designer Beth Lacefield, in flatweaves, poufs and pillows. They are all based on classical designs, and then she "juices them up," said Amy Archer, Surya's new director of product development. Called Alameda, the rug collection is handwoven in India of wool.

Nourison expanded several of its licensed collections, including additions to Barclay Butera, Joseph Abboud and the recently unveiled Waverly. The new Kaleidoscope group from Butera's line, for example, is a red, white and blue story that includes ikat, animal skin and Greek key designs.

Safavieh also added to its designer collections at market, including five handtufted additions to Thom Filicia's collection and eight to Martha Stewart's collection, with plans for major introductions in its Thomas O'Brien, Martha Stewart and Isaac Mizrahi lines in January.